The Saint John President of the Bacchus Motorcycle Club is facing 10 years in federal prison, a lifetime ban from owning firearms, and a mandatory DNA sample after sentencing today at City Hall.

Matthew Thomas Foley had been charged with manslaughter in the July shooting death of Micheal Schimpf. Originally, the charge was second-degree murder; it was reduced after Foley wrote a letter expressing remorse and helped lead police to the weapon.

The standing-room-only crowd heard a statement from Tara Hill, Schimpf's ex-girlfriend, describing him as a loving father and lamenting the impact his death will have on his children's lives. Foley was described by his defense lawyer as an independent businessman who beat substance issues to start his successful tattoo business in 1985. According to Foley he didn't know Schimpf---but he wanted protection after Schimpf threw bricks through his window, allegedly to settle a longstanding score with the Bacchus.

CHSJ approached several people in Bacchus insignia for comment, but they would only say "Nobody talks" and "What trial?" in response.

An 11 year veteran of the Saint John Police Department has been found guilty of common assault and engaging in threatening conduct. Constable Chris Messer will be sentenced on September 7th.

Mr. Justice Hugh McLellen found Messer not guilty of assault causing bodily harm and uttering a death threat but says the police officer was profoundly unprofessional and in a conflict of interest by investigating a breakin at his home on Westfield Road in September of 2010.

He condemned that as a breach of trust that could bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

The judge couldn't understand why Messer was allowed to question Brett McAdam by the side of the Canadian Tire Store alone after suspecting McAdam's car may have been involved in breakins along Westfield Road.

The judge also finds it baffling why Messer was allowed to transport Randy King from the west side to the detention area when he suspected King had broken into his home.

While finding Messer guilty on the two charges, the judge made clear the credibility of his two accusers was weak.

Mr. Justice McLellen called an email sent by Messer to his fellow police officers to be on the lookout for a car matching the description of the one driven by McAdam as "hostile".

The Saint John Mill Rats announcing their new head coach today!David Cooper is hired for the 2012-2013 NBL Canada season. Previously the teams VP of Marketing and Assistant Coach, Cooper tells CHSJ news he'll be focusing on development.

He adds the hardest part going from assistant to head coach is now you have to have the final say on decisions. Cooper says it's always been his dream to be a head coach one day.The teams General Manager Ian McCarthy says what makes Cooper great is when other coaches get frustrated or negative when things go bad, Cooper stays positive and enthusiastic.Cooper has been involved in coaching over 30 AAU teams for over 10 years. He's played in Division 1 NCAA basketball, the USV1 National Team and three years for the Mill Rats.

The previous coach for the past two season was Jaren Jackson, who's moved with his family to Indianapolis, Indiana.The first home game is November 30th at Harbour Station.

Former common councillor John Ferguson was found innocent of defamation against the city's pension board after a marathon 55-day trial, has been awarded $600,000 to be paid by the pension board.

Mr Justice William Grant pooh-poohing the pension board's claims it was suing Ferguson on principle, saying that means a lot less when you're doing that with someone else's money.

Justice Grant further called both parties "stubborn and willful" saying their attitudes became more entrenched as the trial went on. Lawyer Matt Pearn tells CHSJ News it's up to Ferguson whether he accepts that.The case incurred more than $2 million dollars in legal costs.

RCMP want to know who trashed a construction site in Welsford causing thousands of dollars in damage to heavy equipment.

It happened sometime between last Friday and yesterday when equipment and a building on Route 101 were damaged.Windshields were smashed out of a bulldozer and an excavator and paint was sprayed onto the machinery and a porta potty was overturned.

If you can help with information, contact the Mounties at 506-757-1020 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimenb.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS.